Can hearing loss due to otitis media cause speech and language problems?
Children learn speech and language from listening to other people talk. The first few years of life are especially critical for this development. If a hearing loss exists, a child does not get full benefit of language learning experiences. Consequently, critical delays in speech and language development may occur. Otitis media without infection presents a special problem because symptoms of pain and fever are usually not present. Therefore, weeks, and even months, can go by before parents suspect a problem. During this time, the child may miss out on hearing the speech and language needed for normal development.
